The Fix

Don’t have time to search out this week’s essential MP3s, streams and viral videos? That’s why we’re here.

Lily Allen “I Don’t Know”
The British pop tart gets serious on this leaked demo, contemplating her place in the world over a not-too-solemn synth score: “And I am a weapon of massive consumption/ It’s not my fault, it’s how I’m programmed to function.”

(via Fabulist)

Nine Inch Nails “Discipline”
After getting something like 17 albums of instrumental music out of his system, Trent Reznor returns to making manic electro-noise-pop on this track. The best part is that he’s giving it away for free.
(via Nine Inch Nails)

Scarlett Johansson “Anywhere I Lay My Head”
Produced by TV on the Radio’s David Sitek, featuring cameos by David Bowie and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and comprised entirely of songs written by Tom Waits, actress Scarlett Johannson makes what is possibly the first credible album by an actor. Ever. Here’s a taste.
(via Bring Me Up)

No Age “Eraser”
Sub Pop continues on its quest to sign on all the world’s most interesting bands. This Los Angeles fuzz-rock duo’s stratospheric tune must be the reason why.
(via Pop Head Wound)

Santogold “L.E.S. Artistes”
This week’s totally awesome ’80s throwback comes via Santi White, a sartorially savvy Brooklyn musician that records under the name Santogold. With M.I.A. producer Diplo at her side, she blasts hipsters while simultaneously offering them a wicked future anthem.
(via Captain Obvious)

Vampire Weekend: “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Black Dominoes Remix)”
It seems like we weren’t the only ones thinking Vampire Weekend’s take on Paul Simon’s Graceland album would sound a lot better with a twist of random noise and dash of Latin space.
(via Pretty Much Amazing)

Shinichi Osawa: “Star Guitar (ft. Au Revoir Simone)”
The Chemical Brothers’ best song gets a rough-hewn remake and becomes even better. Well, almost.
(via The Yellow Stereo)

Don’t have time to search out this week’s essential MP3s, streams and viral videos? That’s why we’re here.

Vampire Weekend, “A-Punk” on “Saturday Night Live”
See what happened when the overhyped, vaguely ’80s Paul Simon-loving collegiate rock band appeared on NBC’s overhyped, vaguely ’80s Paul Simon-loving collegiate sketch comedy show. Hint: The world did not implode.
(RedLasso)

Nine Inch Nails, Ghosts I-IV
Trent Reznor is giving away the first quarter of Nine Inch Nails’ new instrumental album, aka Ghosts I, for free on his website. Unless you’re a fan of moody instrumental music with plinky piano melodies and random bursts of white noise, you might very well be getting what you pay for.
(Nine Inch Nails)

Cat Power, Black Session
The new covers album might be a bit on the dull side, but this slow-burning live set from France is a revelation, showcasing the return of Chan Marshall’s incredible voice and her new nice and easy live persona.
(Sixeyes)

Hercules and Love Affair, Hercules and Love Affair
The latest project by mournful, gender-bending torch singer Antony Hegarty is not what you might expect. It’s a horn heavy electro-pop seemingly made for Project Runway finales and flashback parties.
(MySpace)

Whiskeytown, “16 Days”
Hear what Ryan Adams sounded like before the ego took over. This sweet, country-flavored tune comes from the excellent reissue of his former band’s album, Stranger’s Almanac.
(Aquarium Drunkard)

Liam Finn, “Second Chance”
Dad was the lead singer of Crowded House. Liam Finn inherited the sweet voice and knack for knockout melodies, but on this track from his debut album he shows a wild inventive streak that’s clearly all his own.
(Spin)

R.E.M., “Supernatural Superserious”
A return to form? Not quite, but better than anything the veteran Georgia rock band has done since at least the time Michael Stipe started wearing that blue streak across his eyes, complete with roaring guitars and classic harmonies courtesy of Mike Mills.
(Sell the Lie)